Switchable rf transmit/receive multiplexer

ABSTRACT

A switchable RF transmit/receive (TX/RX) multiplexer, which includes a group of RF TX bandpass filters, a group of RF TX switching elements, and a group of RF RX bandpass filters; is disclosed. The group of RF TX bandpass filters includes a first RF TX bandpass filter and a second RF TX bandpass filter, such that each of the first RF TX bandpass filter and the second RF TX bandpass filter is coupled to a first filter connection node. The group of RF TX switching elements includes a first RF TX switching element coupled between the first filter connection node and a first common connection node, which is coupled to a first RF antenna. Each of the group of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the first common connection node.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/926,116, filed Oct. 29, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/073,096, filed Oct. 31, 2014, andis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/824,937, filed Aug. 12, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,780,866, entitled“CONFIGURABLE RF TRANSMIT/RECEIVE MULTIPLEXER,” which claims priority toU.S. provisional patent application No. 62/036,210, filed Aug. 12, 2014.

All of the applications listed above are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to radio frequency (RF)communications systems, which may include RF front-end circuitry, RFtransceiver circuitry, RF transmit circuitry, RF receive circuitry, RFdiplexers, RF duplexers, RF filters, RF antennas, RF switches, RFcombiners, RF splitters, the like, or any combination thereof.

BACKGROUND

As wireless communications technologies evolve, wireless communicationssystems become increasingly sophisticated. As such, wirelesscommunications protocols continue to expand and change to take advantageof the technological evolution. As a result, to maximize flexibility,many wireless communications devices must be capable of supporting anynumber of wireless communications protocols, each of which may havecertain performance requirements, such as specific out-of-band emissionsrequirements, linearity requirements, or the like. Further, portablewireless communications devices are typically battery powered and needto be relatively small, and have low cost. As such, to minimize size,cost, and power consumption, RF circuitry in such a device needs to beas simple, small, flexible, and efficient as is practical. Thus, thereis a need for RF circuitry in a communications device that is low cost,small, simple, flexible, and efficient.

SUMMARY

A switchable RF transmit/receive (TX/RX) multiplexer, which includes agroup of RF TX bandpass filters, a group of RF TX switching elements,and a group of RF RX bandpass filters; is disclosed. The group of RF TXbandpass filters includes a first RF TX bandpass filter and a second RFTX bandpass filter, such that each of the first RF TX bandpass filterand the second RF TX bandpass filter is coupled to a first filterconnection node. The group of RF TX switching elements includes a firstRF TX switching element coupled between the first filter connection nodeand a first common connection node, which is coupled to a first RFantenna. Each of the group of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to thefirst common connection node.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the disclosure andrealize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detaileddescription in association with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thisspecification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and togetherwith the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows RF communications circuitry according to one embodiment ofthe RF communications circuitry.

FIG. 2 shows the RF communications circuitry according to an alternateembodiment of the RF communications circuitry.

FIG. 3 shows details of a configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustratedin FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 4 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 1 according to an alternate embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 5 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 1 according to an additional embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 6 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 7 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 2 according to an alternate embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 8 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 2 according to an additional embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 9 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 1 and a first RF antenna according to one embodimentof the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer and the first RF antenna.

FIG. 10 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 11A shows details of a first group of acoustic-based RF resonators(ABRFR)s illustrated in FIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the firstgroup of ABRFRs.

FIG. 11B shows details of a fifth group of ABRFRs illustrated in FIG. 10according to one embodiment of the fifth group of ABRFRs.

FIG. 12 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 13 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexerillustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 14 shows the RF communications circuitry according to oneembodiment of the RF communications circuitry.

FIG. 15 shows the RF communications circuitry according to an alternateembodiment of the RF communications circuitry.

FIG. 16 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

FIG. 17 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to an alternate embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 18 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to an additional embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 19 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to another embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 20 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to a further embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 21 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.15 according to a supplemental embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer.

FIG. 22 shows the RF communications circuitry according to an additionalembodiment of the RF communications circuitry.

FIG. 23 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer illustrated in FIG.22 according to one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure andillustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosure. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawings, thoseskilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure andwill recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressedherein. It should be understood that these concepts and applicationsfall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

A switchable RF transmit/receive (TX/RX) multiplexer, which includes agroup of RF TX bandpass filters, a group of RF TX switching elements,and a group of RF RX bandpass filters; is disclosed. The group of RF TXbandpass filters includes a first RF TX bandpass filter and a second RFTX bandpass filter, such that each of the first RF TX bandpass filterand the second RF TX bandpass filter is coupled to a first filterconnection node. The group of RF TX switching elements includes a firstRF TX switching element coupled between the first filter connection nodeand a first common connection node, which is coupled to a first RFantenna. Each of the group of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to thefirst common connection node.

FIG. 1 shows RF communications circuitry 10 according to one embodimentof the RF communications circuitry 10. The RF communications circuitry10 includes RF system control circuitry 12, RF front-end circuitry 14,and a first RF antenna 16. The RF front-end circuitry 14 includes aconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, RF receive circuitry 20, and RFtransmit circuitry 22. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 has afirst common connection node CN1, which is coupled to the first RFantenna 16. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer18, the first common connection node CN1 is directly coupled to thefirst RF antenna 16. The RF system control circuitry 12 provides a firstfunction configuration signal FCS1 to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. As such, in one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the RF system control circuitry 12 configures theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 using the first functionconfiguration signal FCS1.

In one embodiment of the RF system control circuitry 12, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 provides a first upstream RF transmit signal TXU1,a second upstream RF transmit signal TXU2, and up to and including anM^(TH) upstream RF transmit signal TXUM to the RF transmit circuitry 22.In general, the RF system control circuitry 12 provides a group ofupstream RF transmit signals TXU1, TXU2, TXUM to the RF transmitcircuitry 22.

The RF transmit circuitry 22 processes the first upstream RF transmitsignal TXU1 to provide a first downstream RF transmit signal TXD1 to theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the second upstream RF transmitsignal TXU1 to provide a second downstream RF transmit signal TXD2 tothe configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, and up to and including theM^(TH) upstream RF transmit signal TXU1 to provide an M^(TH) downstreamRF transmit signal TXDM to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. Ingeneral, the RF transmit circuitry 22 provides a group of downstream RFtransmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18.

In one embodiment of the RF system control circuitry 12, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 selects one of the group of downstream RF transmitsignals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM using the first function configuration signalFCS1, such that the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes andforwards the selected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXDM to the first common connection node CN1 to provide afirst RF antenna transmit signal T1A, which is transmitted via the firstRF antenna 16.

The RF transmit circuitry 22 may include up-conversion circuitry,amplification circuitry, power supply circuitry, filtering circuitry,switching circuitry, combining circuitry, splitting circuitry, dividingcircuitry, clocking circuitry, the like, or any combination thereof toprocess the first upstream RF transmit signal TXU1. In one embodiment ofthe RF transmit circuitry 22, the RF transmit circuitry 22 includescircuitry to reduce interference of RF receive signals in theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 by processing the group ofdownstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM in the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives any or all of a firstantenna, first RF receive signal R1A1; a first antenna, second RFreceive signal R1A2; and up to and including a first antenna, N^(TH) RFreceive signal R1AN; which are received via the first RF antenna 16. Ingeneral, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives any or all ofa group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN from thefirst common connection node CN1. In one embodiment of the group offirst antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN, any or all of thegroup of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN are receivedsimultaneously, such that the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18supports receive downlink carrier aggregation (RXDLCA).

The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes and forwards any orall of the group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1ANfrom the first common connection node CN1 to provide any or all of afirst antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R1U1, a first antenna,second upstream RF receive signal R1U2, and up to and including a firstantenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R1UN. In general, theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 provides any or all of a group offirst antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN to the RFreceive circuitry 20.

In one embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RF receivecircuitry 20 receives and processes any or all of the group of the firstantenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN to provide acorresponding any or all of a group of first antenna, downstream RFreceive signals R1D1, R1D2, R1DN.

In an additional embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RFreceive circuitry 20 simultaneously receives and processes any or all ofthe group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2,R1UN. As such, the RF receive circuitry 20 supports RXDLCA. The RFreceive circuitry 20 may include down-conversion circuitry,amplification circuitry, low noise amplification circuitry, power supplycircuitry, filtering circuitry, switching circuitry, combiningcircuitry, splitting circuitry, dividing circuitry, clocking circuitry,the like, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment of the RF front-end circuitry 14, any or all of thegroup of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN and thefirst RF antenna transmit signal T1A, any or all of the group of firstantenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN, any or all of thegroup of first antenna, downstream RF receive signals R1D1, R1D2, R1DN,any or all of the group of upstream RF transmit signals TXU1, TXU2,TXUM, and any or all of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXDM are omitted.

In one embodiment of the RF system control circuitry 12, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 provides the first function configuration signalFCS1 to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the RF receivecircuitry 20, and the RF transmit circuitry 22. As such, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 may configure, tune, adjust, enable, disable, vary,or any combination thereof, circuits within the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the RF receive circuitry 20, the RF transmit circuitry22, or any combination thereof, as necessary using the first functionconfiguration signal FCS1.

FIG. 2 shows the RF communications circuitry 10 according to analternate embodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10. The RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar to the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, except the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 further includes asecond RF antenna 24. Additionally, the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 further has a second common connection node CN2, which iscoupled to the second RF antenna 24.

In one embodiment of the RF system control circuitry 12, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 selects one of the group of downstream RF transmitsignals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM using the first function configuration signalFCS1, such that the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes andforwards the selected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXDM to a selected one of the first common connection nodeCN1 and the second common connection node CN2.

If the selected one of the first common connection node CN1 and thesecond common connection node CN2 is the first common connection nodeCN1, then the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes andforwards the selected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXDM to provide the first RF antenna transmit signal T1A,which is transmitted via the first RF antenna 16. If the selected one ofthe first common connection node CN1 and the second common connectionnode CN2 is the second common connection node CN2, then the configurableRF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes and forwards the selected one of thegroup of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM to provide asecond RF antenna transmit signal T2A, which is transmitted via thesecond RF antenna 24.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives any or all of a secondantenna, first RF receive signal R2A1; a second antenna, second RFreceive signal R2A2; and up to and including a second antenna, N^(TH) RFreceive signal R2AN; which are received via the second RF antenna 24. Ingeneral, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives any or all ofa group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN from thefirst common connection node CN1 and any or all of a group of secondantenna, RF receive signals R2A1, R2A2, R2AN from the second commonconnection node CN2.

In one embodiment of the group of first antenna, RF receive signalsR1A1, R1A2, R1AN and the group of second antenna, RF receive signalsR2A1, R2A2, R2AN, any or all of the group of first antenna, RF receivesignals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN and the group of second antenna, RF receivesignals R2A1, R2A2, R2AN are received simultaneously, such that theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 supports RXDLCA.

The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes and forwards any orall of the group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1ANfrom the first common connection node CN1 to provide any or all of thefirst antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R1U1, the first antenna,second upstream RF receive signal R1U2, and up to and including thefirst antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R1UN.

Further, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes and forwardsany or all of the group of second antenna, RF receive signals R2A1,R2A2, R2AN from the second common connection node CN2 to provide any orall of a second antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R2U1, a secondantenna, second upstream RF receive signal R2U2, and up to and includinga second antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R2UN.

In general, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 provides any or allof the group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2,R1UN and the group of second antenna, upstream RF receive signals R2U1,R2U2, R2UN to the RF receive circuitry 20.

In one embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RF receivecircuitry 20 receives and processes any or all of the first group of thefirst antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN and thegroup of the second antenna, upstream RF receive signals R2U1, R2U2,R2UN to provide a corresponding any or all of the group of firstantenna, downstream RF receive signals R1D1, R1D2, R1DN and a group ofsecond antenna, downstream RF receive signals R2D1, R2D2, R2DN.

In an additional embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RFreceive circuitry 20 simultaneously receives and processes any or all ofthe group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UNand the group of second antenna, upstream RF receive signals R2U1, R2U2,R2UN. As such, the RF receive circuitry 20 supports RXDLCA.

FIG. 3 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 includesa group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters, a first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters, and a first group 30 of RF TX switching elements. Additionally,the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 has the first common connectionnode CN1.

The group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters includes a first RF TX bandpassfilter 32, a second RF TX bandpass filter 34, and up to and including anM^(TH) RF TX bandpass filter 36. The first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters includes a first antenna first RF RX bandpass filter 38, a firstantenna second RF RX bandpass filter 40, and up to and including a firstantenna N^(TH) RF RX bandpass filter 42. The first group 30 of RF TXswitching elements includes a first antenna first RF TX switchingelement 44, a first antenna second RF TX switching element 46, and up toand including a first antenna M^(TH) RF TX switching element 48.

In one embodiment of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters, eachof the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the firstcommon connection node CN1. As such, the first antenna first RF RXbandpass filter 38 is coupled to the first common connection node CN1,the first antenna second RF RX bandpass filter 40 is coupled to thefirst common connection node CN1, and the first antenna N^(TH) RF RXbandpass filter 42 is coupled to the first common connection node CN1.In an alternate embodiment of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters, any of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters areomitted. In one embodiment of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters, each of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters isdirectly coupled to the first common connection node CN1.

The first antenna first RF RX bandpass filter 38 receives and filtersthe first antenna, first RF receive signal R1A1 (FIG. 1) via the firstcommon connection node CN1 to provide the first antenna, first upstreamRF receive signal R1U1. The first antenna second RF RX bandpass filter40 receives and filters the first antenna, second RF receive signal R1A2(FIG. 1) via the first common connection node CN1 to provide the firstantenna, second upstream RF receive signal R1U2. The first antennaN^(TH) RF RX bandpass filter 42 receives and filters the first antenna,N^(TH) RF receive signal R1AN (FIG. 1) via the first common connectionnode CN1 to provide the first antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signalR1UN. In general, the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters providesthe group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2,R1UN.

In general, the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements is coupledbetween the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the first commonconnection node CN1, such that each of the first group 30 of RF TXswitching elements is coupled between a corresponding one of the group26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the first common connection node CN1.Specifically, the first antenna first RF TX switching element 44 iscoupled between the first RF TX bandpass filter 32 and the first commonconnection node CN1. The first antenna second RF TX switching element 46is coupled between the second RF TX bandpass filter 34 and the firstcommon connection node CN1. The first antenna M^(TH) RF TX switchingelement 48 is coupled between the M^(TH) RF TX bandpass filter 36 andthe first common connection node CN1.

When the selected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXDM to provide the first RF antenna transmit signal T1A(FIG. 1) is the first downstream RF transmit signal TXD1, the firstantenna first RF TX switching element 44 is CLOSED and each of a balanceof the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements is OPEN. When theselected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2,TXDM to provide the first RF antenna transmit signal T1A (FIG. 1) is thesecond downstream RF transmit signal TXD2, the first antenna second RFTX switching element 46 is CLOSED and each of a balance of the firstgroup 30 of RF TX switching elements is OPEN. When the selected one ofthe group of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXDM to providethe first RF antenna transmit signal T1A (FIG. 1) is the M^(TH)downstream RF transmit signal TXDM, the first antenna M^(TH) RF TXswitching element 48 is CLOSED and each of a balance of the first group30 of RF TX switching elements is OPEN.

FIG. 4 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an alternate embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 3, except the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 4 further includes a firstgroup 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits. The first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits includes a first antenna first RF phase-shiftingcircuit 52, a first antenna second RF phase-shifting circuit 54, and upto and including a first antenna M^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 56.

In general, the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits is coupledbetween the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the first group 30 ofRF TX switching elements, such that each of the first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits is coupled between a corresponding one of thegroup 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and a corresponding one of the firstgroup 30 of RF TX switching elements.

Specifically, the first antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52 iscoupled between the first RF TX bandpass filter 32 and the first antennafirst RF TX switching element 44. The first antenna second RFphase-shifting circuit 54 is coupled between the second RF TX bandpassfilter 34 and the first antenna second RF TX switching element 46. Thefirst antenna M^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 56 is coupled between theM^(TH) RF TX bandpass filter 36 and the first antenna M^(TH) RF TXswitching element 48.

In one embodiment of the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits,each of the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits applies anappropriate phase-shift, such that the group 26 of RF TX bandpassfilters and the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters supportfull-duplex operation without significantly interfering with oneanother. In one embodiment of the first group 50 of RF phase-shiftingcircuits, each of the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuitsincludes a shunt capacitive element coupled to ground.

FIG. 5 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an additional embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 4, except the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 5 further includes a firstgroup 58 of phase-shift switching elements.

The first group 58 of phase-shift switching elements includes a firstantenna first phase-shift switching element 60, a first antenna secondphase-shift switching element 62, and up to and including a firstantenna M^(TH) phase-shift switching element 64. Instead of the firstgroup 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits being coupled between the group26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the first group 30 of RF TX switchingelements, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first group 58 of phase-shiftswitching elements is coupled between the first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits and the first common connection node CN1. Thisarchitecture allows the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits tobe used during both receive only conditions and transmit onlyconditions, as might occur during time-division duplex (TDD) operations.

In general, each of the first group 58 of phase-shift switching elementsis coupled between a corresponding one of the first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits and the first common connection node CN1, suchthat during transmission of the first RF antenna transmit signal T1A(FIG. 1) via the first RF antenna 16 (FIG. 1), one of the group 26 of RFTX bandpass filters and a corresponding one of the first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits are operationally coupled to the first RFantenna 16 (FIG. 1).

Specifically, the first antenna first phase-shift switching element 60is coupled between the first antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52and the first common connection node CN1. The first antenna secondphase-shift switching element 62 is coupled between the first antennasecond RF phase-shifting circuit 54 and the first common connection nodeCN1. The first antenna M^(TH) phase-shift switching element 64 iscoupled between the first antenna M^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 56and the first common connection node CN1. In general, each of the firstgroup 58 of phase-shift switching elements is coupled between acorresponding one of the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuitsand the first common connection node CN1.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, during aTDD reception of one of the group of first antenna, RF receive signalsR1A1, R1A2, R1AN (FIG. 1) via the first RF antenna 16 (FIG. 1), one ofthe first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits is operationallycoupled to the first RF antenna 16 (FIG. 1). In one embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, at least two of the first group 28of RF RX bandpass filters simultaneously receive and filter acorresponding group of the first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2,R1AN (FIG. 1) to provide a corresponding group of first antenna,upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN.

FIG. 6 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 4, except the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 6 further includes a second group 66of RF RX bandpass filters, a second group 68 of RF TX switchingelements, and a second group 70 of RF phase-shifting circuits. Inaddition, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 has the second commonconnection node CN2.

The second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the secondcommon connection node CN2. Specifically, each of the second group 66 ofRF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the second common connection nodeCN2. The second group 68 of RF TX switching elements is coupled to thesecond common connection node CN2. The second group 70 of RFphase-shifting circuits is coupled between the group 26 of RF TXbandpass filters and the second group 68 of RF TX switching elements.

The second group 68 of RF TX switching elements includes a secondantenna first RF TX switching element 72, a second antenna second RF TXswitching element 74, and up to and including a second antenna M^(TH) RFTX switching element 76. The second group 70 of RF phase-shiftingcircuits includes a second antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 78, asecond antenna second RF phase-shifting circuit 80, and up to andincluding a second antenna M^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 82.

The second antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 78 is coupled betweenthe first RF TX bandpass filter 32 and the second antenna first RF TXswitching element 72. The second antenna second RF phase-shiftingcircuit 80 is coupled between the second RF TX bandpass filter 34 andthe second antenna second RF TX switching element 74. The second antennaM^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 82 is coupled between the M^(TH) RF TXbandpass filter 36 and the second antenna M^(TH) RF TX switching element76.

In general, each of the second group 70 of RF phase-shifting circuits iscoupled between a corresponding one of the group 26 of RF TX bandpassfilters and a corresponding one of the second group 68 of RF TXswitching elements. In an alternate embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18, the second group 70 of RF phase-shifting circuitsis omitted, such that each of the second group 68 of RF TX switchingelements is coupled between a corresponding one of the group 26 of RF TXbandpass filters and the second common connection node CN2.

FIG. 7 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 2 according to an alternate embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes the first group 30 of RFTX switching elements, the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits,and the first group 58 of phase-shift switching elements configured asillustrated in FIG. 5. The first group 30 of RF TX switching elements,the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits, and the first group 58of phase-shift switching elements are not shown in FIG. 7 to simplifyFIG. 7. Additionally, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 7 further includes the second group 68 of RF TXswitching elements, the second group 70 of RF phase-shifting circuits,and a second group 84 of phase-shift switching elements.

The second group 84 of phase-shift switching elements includes a secondantenna first phase-shift switching element 86, a second antenna secondphase-shift switching element 88, and up to and including a secondantenna M^(TH) phase-shift switching element 90. Each of the secondgroup 68 of RF TX switching elements is coupled between a correspondingone of the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the second commonconnection node CN2.

Each of the second group 84 of phase-shift switching elements is coupledbetween a corresponding one of the second group 70 of RF phase-shiftingcircuits and the second common connection node CN2. Specifically, thesecond antenna first phase-shift switching element 86 is coupled betweenthe second antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 78 and the secondcommon connection node CN2. The second antenna second phase-shiftswitching element 88 is coupled between the second antenna second RFphase-shifting circuit 80 and the second common connection node CN2. Thesecond antenna M^(TH) phase-shift switching element 90 is coupledbetween the second antenna M^(TH) RF phase-shifting circuit 82 and thesecond common connection node CN2.

FIG. 8 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 2 according to an additional embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 8 is similar to the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 7, except in the configurableRF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 8, the first group 28 of RFRX bandpass filters is not shown to simplify FIG. 8 and details of thesecond group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters are shown. The second group 66of RF RX bandpass filters includes a second antenna first RF RX bandpassfilter 92, a second antenna second RF RX bandpass filter 94, and up toand including a second antenna N^(TH) RF RX bandpass filter 96.

In one embodiment of the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters, eachof the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to thesecond common connection node CN2. As such, the second antenna first RFRX bandpass filter 92 is coupled to the second common connection nodeCN2. The second antenna second RF RX bandpass filter 94 is coupled tothe second common connection node CN2. The second antenna N^(TH) RF RXbandpass filter 96 is coupled to the second common connection node CN2.

The second antenna first RF RX bandpass filter 92 receives and filtersthe second antenna, first RF receive signal R2A1 (FIG. 2) via the secondcommon connection node CN2 to provide the second antenna, first upstreamRF receive signal R2U1. The second antenna second RF RX bandpass filter94 receives and filters the second antenna, second RF receive signalR2A2 (FIG. 2) via the second common connection node CN2 to provide thesecond antenna, second upstream RF receive signal R2U2. The secondantenna N^(TH) RF RX bandpass filter 96 receives and filters the secondantenna, N^(TH) RF receive signal R2AN (FIG. 2) via the second commonconnection node CN2 to provide the second antenna, N^(TH) upstream RFreceive signal R2UN. In general, the second group 66 of RF RX bandpassfilters provides the first group of second antenna, upstream RF receivesignals R2U1, R2U2, R2UN.

In an alternate embodiment of the second group 66 of RF RX bandpassfilters, any of the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters areomitted. In one embodiment of the second group 66 of RF RX bandpassfilters, each of the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters isdirectly coupled to the second common connection node CN2.

FIG. 9 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 1 and the first RF antenna 16 according to oneembodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 and the first RFantenna 16. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 includes the group26 of RF TX bandpass filters, the first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters, the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements, a firstantenna-facing quadrature RF power splitter/combiner (QRFPSC) 98, and afirst group 100 of QRFPSCs. Additionally, the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 has the first common connection node CN1. The group 26 ofRF TX bandpass filters and the first group 30 of RF TX switchingelements illustrated in FIG. 9 are similar to the group 26 of RF TXbandpass filters and the first group 30 of RF TX switching elementsillustrated in FIG. 3. The first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filtersincludes a first group 102 of in-phase RF RX bandpass filters and afirst group 104 of quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filters.

The first group 102 of in-phase RF RX bandpass filters includes a firstin-phase RF RX bandpass filter 106, a second in-phase RF RX bandpassfilter 108, and up to and including an N^(TH) in-phase RF RX bandpassfilter 110. The first group 104 of quadrature-phase RF RX bandpassfilters includes a first quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 112, asecond quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 114, and up to andincluding an N^(TH) quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 116. Thefirst group 100 of QRFPSCs includes a first QRFPSC 118, a second QRFPSC120, and up to and including an N^(TH) QRFPSC 122.

Each of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98 and the first group 100 ofQRFPSCs includes a corresponding isolation port SP, main port MP, andpair of quadrature ports 0 DEG, 90 DEG. The pair of quadrature ports 0DEG, 90 DEG includes an in-phase port 0 DEG and a quadrature-phase port90 DEG. The first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98 is coupled between the firstRF antenna 16 and the first common connection node CN1. The firstantenna-facing QRFPSC 98 is further coupled between the first group 28of RF RX bandpass filters and the first RF antenna 16. The first group100 of QRFPSCs is coupled to the first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters.

In one embodiment of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98 and the firstgroup 100 of QRFPSCs, each of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98 and thefirst group 100 of QRFPSCs are hybrid RF couplers. In one embodiment ofthe first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98, the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98includes a corresponding group of acoustic-based RF resonators (ABRFR)s. In one embodiment of the first group 100 of QRFPSCs, each of thefirst group 100 of QRFPSCs includes a corresponding group of ABRFRs. Inone embodiment of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters, thefirst group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters includes a corresponding groupof ABRFRs. In one embodiment of the second group 66 (FIG. 8) of RFreceive bandpass filters, the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters(FIG. 8) includes a corresponding group of ABRFRs.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the firstin-phase RF RX bandpass filter 106 is coupled between an in-phase port 0DEG of the first QRFPSC 118 and an in-phase port 0 DEG of the firstantenna-facing QRFPSC 98. The second in-phase RF RX bandpass filter 108is coupled between an in-phase port 0 DEG of the second QRFPSC 120 andthe in-phase port 0 DEG of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98. TheN^(TH) in-phase RF RX bandpass filter 110 is coupled between an in-phaseport 0 DEG of the N^(TH) QRFPSC 122 and the in-phase port 0 DEG of thefirst antenna-facing QRFPSC 98.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the firstquadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 112 is coupled between aquadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the first QRFPSC 118 and aquadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98. Thesecond quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 114 is coupled between aquadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the second QRFPSC 120 and thequadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98. TheN^(TH) quadrature-phase RF RX bandpass filter 116 is coupled between aquadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the N^(TH) QRFPSC 122 and thequadrature-phase port 90 DEG of the first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98.

In one embodiment of the first group 100 of QRFPSCs, the first QRFPSC118 provides the first antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R1U1via a main port MP of the first QRFPSC 118. The second QRFPSC 120provides the first antenna, second upstream RF receive signal R1U2 via amain port MP of the second QRFPSC 120. The N^(TH) QRFPSC 122 providesthe first antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R1UN via a mainport MP of the N^(TH) QRFPSC 122.

In one embodiment of the first group 100 of QRFPSCs each of the firstgroup 100 of QRFPSCs has a corresponding isolation port SP. As such,each corresponding isolation port SP of any or all of the first group100 of QRFPSCs may be coupled to any or all of a corresponding group ofresistive elements (not shown). Each of the corresponding group ofresistive elements (not shown) may be coupled between a correspondingisolation port SP and ground.

FIG. 10 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 10 includes an acoustic substrate 124. The acousticsubstrate 124 includes the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters, thefirst antenna-facing QRFPSC 98, the first QRFPSC 118, the second QRFPSC120, and the N^(TH) QRFPSC 122.

The first antenna-facing QRFPSC 98 includes a first group of ABRFRs 126.The first QRFPSC 118 includes a second group of ABRFRs 128. The secondQRFPSC 120 includes a third group of ABRFRs 130. The N^(TH) QRFPSC 122includes a fourth group of ABRFRs 132. The first group 28 of RF RXbandpass filters includes the fifth group of ABRFRs 134. In oneembodiment of the first group of ABRFRs 126, the second group of ABRFRs128, the third group of ABRFRs 130, the fourth group of ABRFRs 132, andthe fifth group of ABRFRs 134, each of the first group of ABRFRs 126,the second group of ABRFRs 128, the third group of ABRFRs 130, thefourth group of ABRFRs 132, and the fifth group of ABRFRs 134 includessurface acoustic wave (SAW) RF circuitry.

In one embodiment of the first group of ABRFRs 126, the second group ofABRFRs 128, the third group of ABRFRs 130, the fourth group of ABRFRs132, and the fifth group of ABRFRs 134, each of the first group ofABRFRs 126, the second group of ABRFRs 128, the third group of ABRFRs130, the fourth group of ABRFRs 132, and the fifth group of ABRFRs 134includes bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF circuitry.

FIG. 11A shows details of the first group of ABRFRs 126 illustrated inFIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the first group of ABRFRs 126.The first group of ABRFRs 126 includes a pair of in-line coupled ABRFRs136 and a pair of cross-coupled ABRFRs 138. One in-line coupled ABRFR136 is coupled between the main port MP and the in-phase port 0 DEG.Another in-line coupled ABRFR 136 is coupled between the isolation portSP and the quadrature-phase port 90 DEG. One cross-coupled ABRFR 138 iscoupled between the main port MP and the quadrature-phase port 90 DEG.Another cross-coupled ABRFR 138 is coupled between the isolation port SPand the in-phase port 0 DEG.

FIG. 11B shows details of the fifth group of ABRFRs 134 illustrated inFIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the fifth group of ABRFRs 134.The fifth group of ABRFRs 134 includes multiple series-coupled ABRFRs140 and multiple shunt-coupled ABRFRs 142. In general, two or moreseries-coupled ABRFRs 140 are coupled in series with one another. Theseries-coupled ABRFR 140 s may be used to form multiple seriescouplings. In general, a shunt-coupled ABRFR 142 may be coupled betweenground and a coupling between two series-coupled ABRFRs 140.

FIG. 12 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 12 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 9, except the second RF antenna 24 isshown in FIG. 12 and the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 furtherincludes the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters, the second group68 of RF TX switching elements, a second antenna-facing QRFPSC 144, asecond group 146 of QRFPSCs and the second common connection node CN2.

The second group 68 of RF TX switching elements is coupled between thegroup 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the second common connection nodeCN2. As such, each of the second group 68 of RF TX switching elements iscoupled between a corresponding one of the group 26 of RF TX bandpassfilters and the second common connection node CN2. The secondantenna-facing QRFPSC 144 is coupled between the second RF antenna 24and the second common connection node CN2. In this regard, a main portMP of the second antenna-facing QRFPSC 144 is coupled to the secondcommon connection node CN2 and an isolation port SP of the secondantenna-facing QRFPSC 144 is coupled to the second RF antenna 24.

Additionally, the second antenna-facing QRFPSC 144 is coupled betweenthe second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters and the second RF antenna24. Specifically, the second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters iscoupled to an in-phase port 0 DEG and a quadrature-phase port 90 DEG ofthe second antenna-facing QRFPSC 144. The second group 66 of RF RXbandpass filters is coupled to the second group 146 of QRFPSCs, whichprovides the second antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R2U1, thesecond antenna, second upstream RF receive signal R2U2, and up to andincluding the second antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R2UN.

FIG. 13 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 13 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 3, except the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 13 further includes a TDD front-endcircuit 148, a TDD RF switching element 150, and a TDD RF RX switchingelement 152.

The TDD RF RX switching element 152 is coupled between the first commonconnection node CN1 and each of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpassfilters. The TDD RF switching element 150 is coupled between the firstcommon connection node CN1 and the TDD front-end circuit 148. Theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 operates in one of a normaloperating mode, a TDD receive mode, and a TDD transmit mode. During thenormal operating mode, the TDD RF switching element 150 is OPEN and theTDD RF RX switching element 152 is CLOSED. As such, the TDD front-endcircuit 148 does not significantly load the first common connection nodeCN1.

During the TDD receive mode, the TDD RF switching element 150 is CLOSEDand the TDD RF RX switching element 152 is OPEN. By opening the TDD RFRX switching element 152, the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filtersis substantially isolated from the first common connection node CN1,thereby reducing insertion loss. Additionally, during the TDD receivemode, the TDD front-end circuit 148 provides a TDD RX signal TDD RX.

During the TDD transmit mode, the TDD RF switching element 150 is CLOSEDand the TDD RF RX switching element 152 is OPEN. By opening the TDD RFRX switching element 152, the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filtersis substantially isolated from the first common connection node CN1,thereby reducing insertion loss. Additionally, during the TDD transmitmode, the TDD front-end circuit 148 receives and forwards a TDD TXsignal TDD TX.

FIG. 14 shows the RF communications circuitry 10 according to oneembodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10. The RF communicationscircuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 14 is similar to the RF communicationscircuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, except in the RF communicationscircuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 14; during the TDD transmit mode, theRF transmit circuitry 22 provides the TDD TX signal TDD TX to theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18; and during the TDD receive mode,the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 provides the TDD RX signal TDDRX to the RF receive circuitry 20.

FIG. 15 shows the RF communications circuitry 10 according to analternate embodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10. The RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 15 is similar to the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 2, except in the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 15, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 provides the first upstream RF transmit signalTXU1, the second upstream RF transmit signal TXU2, a third upstream RFtransmit signal TXU3, a fourth upstream RF transmit signal TXU4, and upto and including an M^(TH) upstream RF transmit signal TXUM to the RFtransmit circuitry 22. In general, the RF system control circuitry 12provides a group of upstream RF transmit signals TXU1, TXU2, TXU3, TXU4,TXUM to the RF transmit circuitry 22.

The RF transmit circuitry 22 processes the first upstream RF transmitsignal TXU1 to provide the first downstream RF transmit signal TXD1 tothe configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the second upstream RFtransmit signal TXU2 to provide the second downstream RF transmit signalTXD2 to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the third upstream RFtransmit signal TXU3 to provide a third downstream RF transmit signalTXD3 to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the fourth upstream RFtransmit signal TXU4 to provide a fourth downstream RF transmit signalTXD4 to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, and up to andincluding the M^(TH) upstream RF transmit signal TXUM to provide theM^(TH) downstream RF transmit signal TXDM to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. In general, the RF transmit circuitry 22 provides agroup of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM tothe configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18.

In one embodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10, any or all ofthe group of upstream RF transmit signals TXU1, TXU2, TXU3, TXU4, TXUM,and any or all of the group of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1,TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM are omitted.

In one embodiment of the RF system control circuitry 12, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 selects one of the group of downstream RF transmitsignals TXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM using the first functionconfiguration signal FCS1, such that the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 processes and forwards the selected one of the group ofdownstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM to aselected one of the first common connection node CN1 and the secondcommon connection node CN2.

If the selected one of the first common connection node CN1 and thesecond common connection node CN2 is the first common connection nodeCN1, then the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes andforwards the selected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signalsTXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM to provide the first RF antenna transmitsignal T1A, which is transmitted via the first RF antenna 16. If theselected one of the first common connection node CN1 and the secondcommon connection node CN2 is the second common connection node CN2,then the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 processes and forwards theselected one of the group of downstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2,TXD3, TXD4, TXDM to provide the second RF antenna transmit signal T2A,which is transmitted via the second RF antenna 24.

In one embodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10, the RF systemcontrol circuitry 12 selects one of the group of downstream RF transmitsignals TXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM using the first functionconfiguration signal FCS1, such that the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 filters and forwards the selected one of the group ofdownstream RF transmit signals TXD1, TXD2, TXD3, TXD4, TXDM to eitherthe first RF antenna 16 or the second RF antenna 24 based on the firstfunction configuration signal FCS1.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives and processes any or allof the group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN viathe first RF antenna 16 from the first common connection node CN1 toprovide any or all of the group of first antenna, upstream RF receivesignals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN using the first group 28 (FIG. 16) of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the any or all of the group offirst antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1, R1U2, R1UN, the any orall of the group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1,R1U2, R1UN are RXDLCA signals.

FIG. 16 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 15 according to one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 16 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 3, except in the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer18 illustrated in FIG. 16, the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filtersfurther includes a third RF TX bandpass filter 200. Additionally,instead of the first antenna second RF TX switching element 46 beingcoupled between the second RF TX bandpass filter 34 and the first commonconnection node CN1, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first antenna secondRF TX switching element 46 is coupled between the third RF TX bandpassfilter 200 and the first common connection node CN1, as illustrated inFIG. 16. Since the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 includes RFswitching elements, in one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 is a switchableRF TX/RX multiplexer.

Further, the first RF TX bandpass filter 32 is coupled to a first filterconnection node C1 and the second RF TX bandpass filter 34 is coupled tothe first filter connection node C1. The first antenna first RF TXswitching element 44 is coupled between the first filter connection nodeC1 and the first common connection node CN1, which is coupled to thefirst RF antenna 16 (FIG. 15). The third RF TX bandpass filter 200receives and filters the third downstream RF transmit signal TXD3.

FIG. 17 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 15 according to an alternate embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 17 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 16, except in the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 17, the first antenna second RFTX switching element 46 is omitted, such that the third RF TX bandpassfilter 200 is coupled to the first common connection node CN1. In oneembodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the RF TXbandpass filter 200 is directly coupled to the first common connectionnode CN1.

FIG. 18 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 15 according to an additional embodiment of the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 18 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 16, except in the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated in FIG. 18, the first antenna M^(TH) RFTX switching element 48 is omitted, the M^(TH) RF TX bandpass filter 36is omitted, and the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters further includesa fourth RF TX bandpass filter 202.

Further, the third RF TX bandpass filter 200 is coupled to a secondfilter connection node C2 and the fourth RF TX bandpass filter 202 iscoupled to the second filter connection node C2. The first antennasecond RF TX switching element 46 is coupled between the second filterconnection node C2 and the first common connection node CN1, which iscoupled to the first RF antenna 16 (FIG. 15). The fourth RF TX bandpassfilter 202 receives and filters the fourth downstream RF transmit signalTXD4.

FIG. 19 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 15 according to another embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 19 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 18, except in the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer18 illustrated in FIG. 19, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18further includes the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits, whichincludes the first antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52, the firstantenna second RF phase-shifting circuit 54, a first antenna third RFphase-shifting circuit 204, and a first antenna fourth RF phase-shiftingcircuit 206.

The first antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52 is coupled betweenthe first RF TX bandpass filter 32 and the first filter connection nodeC1. The first antenna second RF phase-shifting circuit 54 is coupledbetween the second RF TX bandpass filter 34 and the first filterconnection node C1. The first antenna third RF phase-shifting circuit204 is coupled between the third RF TX bandpass filter 200 and thesecond filter connection node C2. The first antenna fourth RFphase-shifting circuit 206 is coupled between the fourth RF TX bandpassfilter 202 and the second filter connection node C2.

FIG. 20 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 15 according to a further embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 20 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 18, except in the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer18 illustrated in FIG. 20, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18further includes the first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits andthe first group 58 of phase-shift switching elements.

The first group 50 of RF phase-shifting circuits includes the firstantenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52, the first antenna second RFphase-shifting circuit 54, the first antenna third RF phase-shiftingcircuit 204, and the first antenna fourth RF phase-shifting circuit 206.The first group 58 of phase-shift switching elements includes the firstantenna first phase-shift switching element 60, the first antenna secondphase-shift switching element 62, a first antenna third phase-shiftswitching element 208, and a first antenna fourth phase-shift switchingelement 210.

The first antenna first phase-shift switching element 60 is coupledbetween the first antenna first RF phase-shifting circuit 52 and thefirst common connection node CN1. The first antenna second phase-shiftswitching element 62 is coupled between the first antenna second RFphase-shifting circuit 54 and the first common connection node CN1. Thefirst antenna third phase-shift switching element 208 is coupled betweenthe first antenna third RF phase-shifting circuit 204 and the firstcommon connection node CN1. The first antenna fourth phase-shiftswitching element 210 is coupled between the first antenna fourth RFphase-shifting circuit 206 and the first common connection node CN1.

In general, each of the first group 58 of phase-shift switching elementsis coupled between a corresponding one of the first group 50 of RFphase-shifting circuits and the first common connection node CN1.

FIG. 21 shows details of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 15 according to a supplemental embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 includes the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters, thefirst group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters, the second group 66 of RF RXbandpass filters, and a group 212 of multiple antenna RF TX switchingelements. The group 212 of multiple antenna RF TX switching elementsincludes the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements and the secondgroup 68 of RF TX switching elements.

The group 212 of multiple antenna RF TX switching elements is coupledbetween the group 26 of RF TX bandpass filters and the first commonconnection node CN1, and the group 212 of multiple antenna RF TXswitching elements is further coupled between the group 26 of RF TXbandpass filters and the second common connection node CN2. The firstgroup 28 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the first commonconnection node CN1. The second group 66 of RF RX bandpass filters iscoupled to the second common connection node CN2.

The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives and processes any orall of the group of first antenna, RF receive signals R1A1, R1A2, R1AN(FIG. 15) via the first RF antenna 16 to provide a corresponding any orall of the group of first antenna, upstream RF receive signals R1U1,R1U2, R1UN (FIG. 15) using the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters.

The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 receives and processes any orall of the group of second antenna, RF receive signals R2A1, R2A2, R2AN(FIG. 15) via the second RF antenna 24 to provide a corresponding any orall of the group of second antenna, upstream RF receive signals R2U1,R2U2, R2UN (FIG. 15) using the second group 66 of RF RX bandpassfilters.

FIG. 22 shows the RF communications circuitry 10 according to anadditional embodiment of the RF communications circuitry 10. The RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 22 is similar to the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 15, except in the RFcommunications circuitry 10 illustrated in FIG. 22, the configurable RFTX/RX multiplexer 18 further provides any or all of a third antenna,first upstream RF receive signal R3U1, a third antenna, second upstreamRF receive signal R3U2, and up to and including a third antenna, N^(TH)upstream RF receive signal R3UN. In general, the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18 provides any or all of a group of third antenna, upstreamRF receive signals R3U1, R3U2, R3UN to the RF receive circuitry 20.

In one embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RF receivecircuitry 20 receives and processes any or all of the group of the thirdantenna, upstream RF receive signals R3U1, R3U2, R3UN to provide acorresponding any or all of a group of third antenna, downstream RFreceive signals R3D1, R3D2, R3DN to the RF system control circuitry 12.

Additionally, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 further providesany or all of a fourth antenna, first upstream RF receive signal R4U1, afourth antenna, second upstream RF receive signal R4U2, and up to andincluding a fourth antenna, N^(TH) upstream RF receive signal R4UN. Ingeneral, the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 provides any or all ofa group of fourth antenna, upstream RF receive signals R4U1, R4U2, R4UNto the RF receive circuitry 20.

In one embodiment of the RF receive circuitry 20, the RF receivecircuitry 20 receives and processes any or all of the group of thefourth antenna, upstream RF receive signals R4U1, R4U2, R4UN to providea corresponding any or all of a group of first antenna, downstream RFreceive signals R4D1, R4D2, R4DN to the RF system control circuitry 12.

FIG. 23 shows the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 22 according to one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18. The configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18 illustrated inFIG. 23 is similar to the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 21, except the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18illustrated in FIG. 23 further includes a third group 214 of RF RXbandpass filters, a fourth group 216 of RF RX bandpass filters, andantenna switching circuitry 218.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the first commonconnection node CN1 and the group 212 of multiple antenna RF TXswitching elements. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe first common connection node CN1 and the first group 28 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe first common connection node CN1 and the second group 66 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe first common connection node CN1 and the third group 214 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe first common connection node CN1 and the fourth group 216 of RF RXbandpass filters.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the second commonconnection node CN2 and the group 212 of multiple antenna RF TXswitching elements. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe second common connection node CN2 and the first group 28 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe second common connection node CN2 and the second group 66 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe second common connection node CN2 and the third group 214 of RF RXbandpass filters. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RXmultiplexer 18, the antenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled betweenthe second common connection node CN2 and the fourth group 216 of RF RXbandpass filters.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the RFsystem control circuitry 12 (FIG. 22) selects connectivity of theantenna switching circuitry 218 using the first function configurationsignal FCS1. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer18, each of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled tothe first common connection node CN1 via the antenna switching circuitry218. In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, eachof the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters is coupled to the secondcommon connection node CN2 via the antenna switching circuitry 218. Inone embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the antennaswitching circuitry 218 is coupled between the first antenna first RF TXswitching element 44 (FIG. 20) and the first common connection node CN1.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the RFsystem control circuitry 12 (FIG. 22) selects connectivity of theantenna switching circuitry 218 between the first common connection nodeCN1 and the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters using the firstfunction configuration signal FCS1. In one embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, the RF system control circuitry 12(FIG. 22) selects connectivity of the antenna switching circuitry 218between the first common connection node CN1 and the first group 30 ofRF TX switching elements using the first function configuration signalFCS1.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the first commonconnection node CN1 and the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements.In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the first commonconnection node CN1 and the second group 68 of RF TX switching elements.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the second commonconnection node CN2 and the first group 30 of RF TX switching elements.In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, theantenna switching circuitry 218 is coupled between the second commonconnection node CN2 and the second group 68 of RF TX switching elements.

In one embodiment of the configurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, apassband of each of the first group 28 of RF RX bandpass filters isessentially equivalent to a corresponding passband of each of the secondgroup 66 of RF RX bandpass filters. In one embodiment of theconfigurable RF TX/RX multiplexer 18, a passband of each of the thirdgroup 214 of RF RX bandpass filters is essentially equivalent to acorresponding passband of each of the fourth group 216 of RF RX bandpassfilters.

Some of the circuitry previously described may use discrete circuitry,integrated circuitry, programmable circuitry, non-volatile circuitry,volatile circuitry, software executing instructions on computinghardware, firmware executing instructions on computing hardware, thelike, or any combination thereof. The computing hardware may includemainframes, micro-processors, micro-controllers, DSPs, the like, or anycombination thereof.

None of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to limitthe scope of any other embodiment of the present disclosure. Any or allof any embodiment of the present disclosure may be combined with any orall of any other embodiment of the present disclosure to create newembodiments of the present disclosure.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A switchable radio frequency (RF)transmit/receive (TX/RX) multiplexer comprising: a plurality of RF TXbandpass filters comprising a first RF TX bandpass filter coupled to afirst filter connection node and a second RF TX bandpass filter coupledto a second filter connection node distinct from the first filterconnection node; a first plurality of RF TX switching elementscomprising: a first RF TX switching element coupled between the firstfilter connection node and a first common connection node, which iscoupled to a first RF antenna; and a second RF TX switching elementcoupled between the second filter connection node and the first commonconnection node; and a first plurality of RF RX bandpass filters,wherein each of the first plurality of RF RX bandpass filters is coupledto the first common connection node without an intervening switchingelement.
 2. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1 wherein theplurality of RF TX bandpass filters further comprises a third RF TXbandpass filter and the first plurality of RF TX switching elementsfurther comprises a third RF TX switching element, such that the thirdRF TX switching element is coupled between the third RF TX bandpassfilter and the first common connection node.
 3. The switchable RF TX/RXmultiplexer of claim 2 wherein a fourth RF TX bandpass filter of theplurality of RF TX bandpass filters is coupled to the first filterconnection node.
 4. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1wherein the plurality of RF TX bandpass filters further comprises athird RF TX bandpass filter coupled to the first common connection node.5. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1 further comprising aplurality of RF phase-shifting circuits, which comprises a first RFphase-shifting circuit and a second RF phase-shifting circuit, whereinthe first RF phase-shifting circuit is coupled between the first RF TXbandpass filter and the first filter connection node, and the second RFphase-shifting circuit is coupled between the second RF TX bandpassfilter and the first filter connection node.
 6. The switchable RF TX/RXmultiplexer of claim 1 wherein the plurality of RF TX bandpass filtersfurther comprises a third RF TX bandpass filter, which is coupled to thefirst filter connection node, and a fourth RF TX bandpass filter, whichis coupled to the second filter connection node.
 7. The switchable RFTX/RX multiplexer of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of RFphase-shifting circuits, which comprises a first RF phase-shiftingcircuit, a second RF phase-shifting circuit, a third RF phase-shiftingcircuit, and a fourth RF phase-shifting circuit, wherein: the first RFphase-shifting circuit is coupled between the first RF TX bandpassfilter and the first filter connection node; the second RFphase-shifting circuit is coupled between the second RF TX bandpassfilter and the second filter connection node; the third RFphase-shifting circuit is coupled between the third RF TX bandpassfilter and the first filter connection node; and the fourth RFphase-shifting circuit is coupled between the fourth RF TX bandpassfilter and the second filter connection node.
 8. The switchable RF TX/RXmultiplexer of claim 6 further comprising a first plurality of RFphase-shifting circuits and a first plurality of phase-shift switchingelements, wherein each of the first plurality of phase-shift switchingelements is coupled between a corresponding one of the first pluralityof RF phase-shifting circuits and the first common connection node. 9.The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1 further comprising afirst plurality of RF phase-shifting circuits and a first plurality ofphase-shift switching elements, wherein each of the first plurality ofphase-shift switching elements is coupled between a corresponding one ofthe first plurality of RF phase-shifting circuits and the first commonconnection node.
 10. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1wherein RF system control circuitry is configured to select one of aplurality of RF TX signals using a function configuration signal, suchthat the switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer is configured to filter andforward the one of the plurality of RF TX signals to the first commonconnection node using one of the plurality of RF TX bandpass filters.11. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1 configured to receiveand process a plurality of first antenna, RF RX signals via the first RFantenna to provide a first plurality of upstream RF RX signals using thefirst plurality of RF RX bandpass filters.
 12. The switchable RF TX/RXmultiplexer of claim 11 wherein the first plurality of upstream RF RXsignals are receive downlink carrier aggregation (RXDLCA) signals. 13.The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 11 further comprising asecond plurality of RF RX bandpass filters and further configured toreceive and process a plurality of second antenna, RF RX signals via asecond RF antenna to provide a second plurality of upstream RF RXsignals using the second plurality of RF RX bandpass filters.
 14. Theswitchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 1 further comprising antennaswitching circuitry, wherein each of the first plurality of RF RXbandpass filters is coupled to the first common connection node via theantenna switching circuitry, and the antenna switching circuitry iscoupled between the first RF TX switching element and the first commonconnection node.
 15. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 14wherein RF system control circuitry is configured to select connectivityof the antenna switching circuitry between the first common connectionnode and the first plurality of RF RX bandpass filters, and is furtherconfigured to select connectivity of the antenna switching circuitrybetween the first common connection node and the first plurality of RFTX switching elements using a function configuration signal.
 16. Theswitchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 14 wherein the antennaswitching circuitry is further coupled between a second commonconnection node and the first plurality of RF RX bandpass filters, andis additionally coupled between the second common connection node andthe first plurality of RF TX switching elements.
 17. The switchable RFTX/RX multiplexer of claim 16 further comprising a second plurality ofRF RX bandpass filters, wherein the antenna switching circuitry isfurther coupled between the first common connection node and the secondplurality of RF RX bandpass filters, and is additionally coupled betweenthe second common connection node and the second plurality of RF RXbandpass filters.
 18. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 17wherein a passband of each of the first plurality of RF RX bandpassfilters is essentially equivalent to a corresponding passband of each ofthe second plurality of RF RX bandpass filters.
 19. The switchable RFTX/RX multiplexer of claim 17 further comprising a third plurality of RFRX bandpass filters, wherein the antenna switching circuitry is furthercoupled between the first common connection node and the third pluralityof RF RX bandpass filters, and is additionally coupled between thesecond common connection node and the third plurality of RF RX bandpassfilters.
 20. The switchable RF TX/RX multiplexer of claim 16 furthercomprising a second plurality of RF TX switching elements, wherein theantenna switching circuitry is further coupled between the first commonconnection node and the second plurality of RF TX switching elements,and is additionally coupled between the second common connection nodeand the second plurality of RF TX switching elements.